March 23-26 peak predicted for cherry blossoms on the National Mall
(National Park Service)

SUBTERRANEAN OASIS
A Dry Basement

Whether you’re remodeling your basement or preparing your home for a Seller’s Disclosure, ensuring a dry basement should be at the top of your list. A dehumidifier can eliminate moisture from the air and waterproofing paint on the interior walls of your basement can keep water from seeping through temporarily, but neither addresses the root cause.

"Hydrostatic pressure pushes water and moisture against the concrete, creating cracks and causing further damage to your foundation,” says Rich Voigt of ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing. “By installing drainage channels along the inside of the basement perimeter, beside the footer, our system captures water as the water table rises to meet the foundation, preventing intrusive moisture or groundwater.”

‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been in business for more than 65 years helping homeowners control moisture, ensure proper drainage and ventilation, eliminate mold, and secure foundations in basements and crawlspaces. Call 888-698-1958 to schedule a free inspection.

_______________________________

Seeking Qualified Applicants?

Could your business benefit from a partnership with Jubilee Jobs?

For more than 40 years, Jubilee Jobs has been connecting qualified job seekers with local employers, including The Army Navy Club, Bread & Chocolate, Children’s National, Colonial Parking, The Pretzel Bakery, and The Soldiers’ Mom, to provide applicants who are pre-screened, verified, and reference-checked and filling more than 27,000 positions in the Washington area.

One of our favorite local charities, Jubilee Jobs has a continuous pool of job-ready applicants and is able to provide employers rapid access to candidates for all entry-level positions, even on short notice. If you’re looking for dependable, reliable job candidates, contact Jubilee Jobs at (202) 667-8970 or by email at info@jubileejobs.org.

_______________________________

A bouquet of Larkspur. Photo by Belle Blooms Farm

WHAT TO PLANT NOW

Eager to dig your hands into the garden on these beautiful 60 degree days? It’s not too early! A number of colorful spring flowers actually prefer a cool start and, if planted now, will reward you with late spring and early summer blooms in a low-maintenance kind of way.

LARKSPUR
This cottage garden favorite can be direct sown now. Usually taking about two weeks to pop through the soil, this tall flower will grow in a mounded form until ready to send up a statement spike with side shoots off the main white, pink, lavender, or purple flower stalk to enjoy for several weeks. Ideal for the back of a bed as they do get quite tall.

NIGELLA (Love-In-A-Mist)

Another cottage garden favorite that prefers to be direct sown, the lacy Nigella foliage provides a lush, green ground cover before the stems shoot up to put on a show of blue, purple, green or white when coming into bloom. Once the blooms fade, the pods puff up and become quite interesting themselves. Nigella will come back the next year if the pods are left to go to seed.

BACHELOR’S BUTTONS
These cheerful deep and medium blue, pink, and white flowers are easy to grow, edible, and cut-and-come-again – a perfect trifecta! Direct sow now for late spring blooms.

SWEET PEAS
Is there anything more heavenly than the scent of a Sweet Pea blossom? Direct sow a rainbow of sweet pea blossoms at the base of something they can climb up.

Tips for direct sowing:

• Mark where you plant!

• Thin after a couple of weeks to allow plenty of space to grow.

• Google images of plant seedlings so you know what to look for as they emerge.

• “Water the seeds in” and plant right before a good rain!

You can find all of these varieties in the offerings of Renee’s Garden and Botanical Interests, both of which are sold locally at American Plant and Tenleytown ACE Hardware. Let us know if you grow any of these and how they do!

_______________________________

SWEET SPRINGTIME
Hummingbird Cake

Originally from Jamaica, Hummingbird Cake tastes like a tropical vacation. It’s sweet enough to attract hummingbirds, with a fruity, spicy flavor that might be described as carrot cake meets banana bread. Easy to make in a bundt pan (no layers), this moist and flavorful masterpiece dessert is drizzled with a thick Cream Cheese Glaze and only gets better with a day or two of refrigeration (if it lasts that long). Find the recipe here.

_______________________________

Who’s Coming to Georgetown?

Georgetown is hot! Barnes & Noble, the largest bookstore chain in the U.S., is returning to its original location at 3040 M Street N.W., after leaving in 2011.

Tesla is leaving CityCenter DC and relocating to 3307 M Street N.W., pending approval of proposed modifications to the EastBanc building’s storefront by the Old Georgetown Board (OGB). Luxury retailer Zadig & Voltaire is also relocating to Georgetown from CityCenterDC.

Kim Kardashian is planning a store for her shapewear brand Skims at 33rd and M Streets N.W., and the LA-based boutique Clare V. recently opened at 1238 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.

Of note, a number of existing businesses are moving within Georgetown, and the iconic Martin’s Tavern, which recently celebrated its 90th year, is undergoing a renovation with a grand reopening planned for March.

_______________________________

25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

The Hatfield Weir Gale Team celebrates a milestone anniversary for
Washington Fine Properties

For twenty-five years, WFP has held the record for Highest Average Sales Production Per Agent in the National Capitol Region and Highest Average Sale Price of any firm in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, making our firm the leader of the luxury market in Washington, D.C. and across the region, including Virginia Hunt Country and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

We’re proud to be part of WFP’s flight to quality, and we’re looking forward to the next quarter century!

OPEN SUNDAY MARCH 3
2:00-4:00pm

2540 Massachusetts Avenue NW #407
Kalorama
$1,295,000

The Hatfield Weir Gale Team
(202) 243-1635
team@hatfieldweir.com

4200 Massachusetts Avenue NW #PH9
The Foxhall in Wesley Heights
$1,275,000

Anne Hatfield Weir 202-255-2490
Heidi Hatfield 202-258-1919
Andrea Hatfield 202-487-4294

2611 Klingle Road NW
Cleveland Park
$2,875,000

The Hatfield Weir Gale Team
(202) 243-1635
team@hatfieldweir.com

3001 Foxhall Rd NW

Wesley Heights
$6,996,995

Tammy Gale 202-297-0169
Andrea Hatfield 202-487-4294

3823 Morrison Street NW
Chevy Chase
$2,175,000

The Hatfield Weir Gale Team
(202) 243-1635
team@hatfieldweir.com

4000 Cathedral Ave NW #105B
The Westchester in Observatory Circle
$355,000

The Hatfield Weir Gale Team
(202) 243-1635
team@hatfieldweir.com

The Hatfield Weir Gale Team

Left to right: Craig Davitian, Heidi Hatfield, Anne Hatfield Weir, Andrea Hatfield, and Tammy Gale